Sustainable Fisheries Division

U.S. Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Quota in the Eastern Pacific

IATTC Convention Area

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When calculating the estimated catch of bigeye tuna in the eastern Pacific, we use logbook catch data provided by relevant U.S. longline vessels to NOAA Fisheries Service. These data do not include fishing activity for which logbooks have not yet been received and compiled by NOAA Fisheries Service (for example, fishing trips still underway or just completed). Logbook data on the number of bigeye tuna kept are converted to estimates of catch in metric tons using information on the long-term average weight of the bigeye tuna caught in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Convention Area and landed in Hawaii or California in previous years.

Background

NOAA Fisheries Service established a quota of 500 metric tons (mt) of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) that may be caught in the eastern Pacific and retained by U.S. longline vessels greater than 24 meters (78.7 feet) in length. The final rule and supporting documents are available from the NOAA Fisheries Service Southwest Region.

The quota satisfies United States obligations as a Contracting Party to the 1949 Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna (Convention) and as a Member of the IATTC. For details of the IATTC decision that established the obligation of the United States to implement the bigeye tuna limit, see IATTC Resolution C-11-01, Tuna Conservation 2011-2013.

Background on the Convention and the IATTC is available from the IATTC.

Convention Area

The IATTC Convention Area (see map) includes waters bounded by the coast of the Americas, the 40 ° N. and 40 ° S. parallels, and the 150 ° W. meridian. For a complete description, see the definition of "Convention Area" at 50 CFR 300.25.